Dave Kearney (right) and older brother Rob with the Six Nations title last year
Rob Kearney got his hands on another Six Nations Championship at the weekend but there was no such fortune for younger brother Dave.
While Rob now holds the honour of being the only member of the 2009 Grand Slam winning team to start and play every minute of the last two championship wins, this year was a tough one for the younger of the two rugby players from Willville in Carlingford.
While a frequent member of the Irish training camp this year, injury denied the Leinster player a proper run at contending for his place in this year’s side.
A stand out performer in last year’s Six Nations success, Dave said this week that he cheered on his friends, team-mates and brother Rob from Dublin, but the acute sense of missing out was difficult to shake off.
“I pretty much didn’t leave my couch for the day,” he said.
“It was a pretty amazing day. It was a great outcome at the end to see the lads win the competition. It was very tough, to be honest. I’m not going to lie about it.
“To be involved in winning the competition last year, I know what that feeling is like . . . At the same time, I’m delighted for the lads and it’s great again for Irish rugby in a big year.”
Dave is hopeful of being involved in Leinster’s Guinness PRO 12 game against Glasgow Warriors on Friday night, with one eye on the Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Bath at the Aviva Stadium the following week.
Talk of the Town 